In a groundbreaking move on Wednesday, Google enhanced its Bard chatbot with a cutting-edge artificial intelligence model named Gemini. Google claims that Gemini excels in reasoning capabilities compared to ChatGPT and other competitors. The tech giant is strategically positioning itself to seize the lead in generative AI, taking advantage of the recent upheaval at OpenAI following a boardroom coup that resulted in the temporary removal and subsequent reinstatement of CEO Sam Altman.
Despite quietly developing AI capabilities for years, Google was caught off guard by OpenAI’s release of ChatGPT last year in collaboration with Microsoft. Sundar Pichai, Google’s CEO, expressed excitement about the remarkable progress, calling it a significant science and engineering effort for the company.
Gemini, hailed as the first AI model to outperform human experts in specific benchmarks across problem-solving, math, physics, history, law, medicine, and ethics, was unveiled by Google DeepMind’s VP of Product, Eli Collins. Demonstrations showcased Gemini’s ability to recognize and engage with diverse inputs, from movie scenes to drawings, exhibiting advanced reasoning, comparisons, conclusions, and suggestions.
Gemini offers three versions, with an “Ultra” edition surpassing state-of-the-art models in 30 benchmark tests, a “Pro” version integrated into Bard for various tasks, and a “Nano” version tailored for smartphones, debuting on the Pixel 8 handset. Bard’s VP, Sissie Hsiao, highlighted the transformative impact of Gemini on Bard’s capabilities, emphasizing its role as a powerful AI collaborator.
Gemini-infused Bard, available in English across 170 countries and territories, marks a significant upgrade, featuring multi-modal functionality for auditory, visual, and text inputs. Executives project Bard with Gemini as the world’s premier AI collaborator, advancing its proficiency in tasks ranging from writing poetry and code to addressing shopping queries.
Google plans to release the “Ultra” version of Gemini for handling complex tasks early next year. Hsiao acknowledged the rapid innovation in Bard, stating that Gemini represents a pivotal moment for the company.
Earlier in the year, Google integrated Gmail, YouTube, and other tools into Bard, aligning with the industry trend of incorporating generative AI into daily applications. Governments and tech companies view generative AI as the next significant technological chapter, prompting increased investments in research, products, and infrastructure despite uncertainties about the enduring appeal of generative AI chatbots beyond the initial hype.
